They were just babies when the attack on the World Trade Center in New York occurred. But these 10-years-old know a lot about 9/11, an event that changed their lives dramatically.

The fourth-graders at Collegewood Elementary in Walnut marked the 10th anniversary with a patriotic assembly on Friday.

“It was a significant event in all our lives, so we wanted to bring the whole school together to remember everyone killed in the attacks,” said Principal Carolyn Wills.

The new principal said first-grade teacher Laura O’Donnell asked if they could do something for the 9/11 anniversary.

“I thought her idea was awesome, so I told her to go with it,” Wills added.

A native New Yorker, O’Donnell was born in Manhattan. She has many friends and family in the Big Apple.

“My uncle used to pass through the metro entrance at the Twin Towers every day,” O’Donnell said. “Fortunately, he retired before the attack, but I was still worried about my friends and family.”

The first-grade teacher still remembers watching the first plane hit the North Tower, as she got ready for school. At first, she thought it was just an accident. When she heard about the other planes, O’Donnell knew America was under attack.

“I’m always touched when I see the images on TV, I had observed a tragic part of history. But in everything bad that happens, there’s something good that comes out of it,” the instructor continued. “I remember the whole country pulling together. People were gentler and kinder to each other.”

So the Collegewood teachers decided to emphasize the positive things that came out of the terrible attack. The students would be seeing the attacks over and over on television as America recalled the somber anniversary.

“We all feel a sense of patriotism at a time like this, we’re blessed to be a part of this country. So we thought our students could express this through song,” O’Donnell said.

Each grade performed a different patriotic tune ranging from “Proud to Be an American” to “America the Beautiful.”

“Then the whole school ended the assembly by singing ‘Let There Be Peace on Earth.’ We thought that was a good ending,” Wills said.

Earlier, the teachers had taken some time to talk to their students about the 9/11 attacks.

“We also watched a video that addresses the attacks. It explained what really happened and how the War on Terror began,” said fourth-grade teacher Kim Horn.

Still it’s interesting to learn what the 10-year-olds know about the attack.

“Terrorists took over four planes to attack the Twin Towers and the Pentagon,” noted Jeremy Kong.

Only a couple kids said they were afraid to fly, most agreed with 10-year-old Matthew Horner that it was safer to fly now.

Brody Sanchez pointed out “there’s a lot more security at the airports now.”

Others admired the police and firemen who rushed to rescue the occupants of the World Trade Center in New York.

“They risked their lives to help,” said Athena Markarian.

“I think the whole country came together to pay tribute to the people who died,” concluded Angela Tzab.

Other Walnut Valley schools also marked the anniversary. Earlier Friday, L.A. County Firefighters Tom Fahrny and Jim Berklite from Walnut Station 119 joined students and staff at South Pointe Middle School for a ceremony.

After the flag salute, seventh grader Ariana Gonzales sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” then the group of more than 1,000 stood in reflection for a moment of silence.

“Heroes were born that day. And from that tragedy our nation grew stronger. Today’s program makes September 11 an important day in our own history,” said principal Susan Arzola.

On Sept. 11, Walnut High students placed 2,997 American flags on the grassy slope in front of the school. The project commemorated all the lives lost a decade ago.

The idea was suggested by the Teen Republican Club and social studies teacher Brett Landis. They were helped by other clubs on the campus. The small flags were purchased by the Associated Student Body.

On Monday, Chaparral Middle School’s Sinfonia Orchestra performed a tribute concert. Law enforcement and firefighters, as well as medical and military personnel, were honored for their service.

The concert also featured two special guest performers: Scott Walton, a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department, and Fred McDowell, an engineer with the Costa Mesa Fire Department.